Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre

The Art of Latin Jazz

Origin 82730

Purchase

iTunes - $9.90


...an immensely exciting start to a recording that has you on the edge of your seat... In sheer colour and variety, in the depth of characterization and the exceptional range and refinement of his playing, Oscar Hernández here imparts a powerful stature...
Raul da Gama, LATIN JAZZ NETWORK

Now in the middle of a towering career as founder & leader of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, musical director for Rubén Blades, and pianist, arranger and producer for some of the biggest names in Contemporary Latin music, three-time Grammy Winner Oscar Hernández takes a moment for himself and his working quintet with his new recording, The Art of Latin Jazz. Pulling from several lifetimes worth of musical experiences, Hernandez penned ten originals to perform with his Los Angeles-based ensemble, featuring the legendary saxophonist Justo Almario and special guest, San Diego trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos, along with drummer Jimmy Branly, bassist Jorge "Sawa" Perez, and percussionist Christian Moraga.


Track Listing:

1. THE ART OF LATIN JAZZ 4:17
2. ONE DAY SOON 5:59
3. DANZON PARA LAS SEIS 5:18
4. TIMESHIFT 5:50
5. RIGHT ON 5:11
6. ESPN BLUES 5:03
7. FORT APACHE 5:43
8. ENTRE AMIGOS 4:10
9. COMO TE AMO 5:14
10. ALMA LIBRE 6:00

Performers:

Oscar Hernandez - Piano
Justo Almario - Sax & Flute
Jimmy Branly - Drums
Jorge "Sawa" Perez - Bass
Christian Moraga - Congas/Percussion
Jeremy Bosch - Background Vocals (3)
SPECIAL GUEST: Gilbert Castellanos - Trumpet

Production Info:

Produced by: OSCAR HERNÁNDEZ
Executive Producers: OSCAR HERNÁNDEZ &
JOSEPH W. SLOPIS III, AKA "WOLFGANG VON EINSTEIN"
Recorded live at STAGG STREET SUDIOS, Van Nuys,CA
September 26th & 27th, 2016
Recording Engineer: BIL LANE
Assisted by: TAKUYA KONO
Mixed & Mastered by JIMMY BRANLY, Burbank, CA
Photography by: YARI ORTIZ
Front Cover Art by: DD FLYNN & MARGO REY
Cover Design & Layout by JOHN BISHOP


Reviews of The Art of Latin Jazz

Midwest Record (Chris Spector)
This guy is a major figure in modern Latin jazz. So, what does he do? He makes a Latin jazz album the average, two left footed gringo can relate to and love. Not too Ricky Ricardo, not too ethnic, not to street, this is a set that takes the best of Latin jazz and slides it right down the middle for a set that can even find klutzes tapping their t ...

Latin Jazz Network (Raul da Gama)
This music suggests that the robust health for one of the longest and most enduring musical influences in Jazz is in good hands. The good ‘doctor' in charge of the check-up is none other than the celebrated composer, arranger and producer Oscar Hernández whose other full time job is as pianist of the equally celebrated Spanish Harlem Orchestra. ...

Latin Jazz Corner (Chip Boaz)
ALBUM OF THE WEEK We spend a lot of time talking about the minutiae of music making, digging into theory, history, and the way that the sounds make us feel; far too often, we leave the idea of artistry out of our conversations. The exclusion of this topic is a bit ironic, as artistry is probably the most important piece of the puzzle. The decision ...

Jazz Weekly (George W. Harris)
This session by pianist/composer Oscar Hernandez is strong on both art and Latin Jazz. He brings together a top notch team of Justo Almario/ts-fl, Jimmy Branly/dr, Christian Moraga/perc and Jorge Perez/b for ten sizzling originals. Trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos guests the slinking "Right On" while he teams with Almario for a peppy title track. The ...



ORIGIN RECORDS

OA2 RECORDS

ORIGIN CLASSICAL

CONTACT US

  • Origin Records
    8649 Island Drive South
    Seattle, WA 98118
    ph: (206) 781-2589
    fx: (206) 374-2618
  • Email / Order Info / Etc
THE ORIGIN MUSIC GROUP • FOUNDED 1997 / SEATTLE, WA • THE MUSIC YOU NEED